During a trip by train to Montbrison, May 23, 1920, 15 to 23 h, leaning out the window of his compartment when he felt a choking sensation, Paul Deschanel accidentally drop the car. Fortunately, the train traveling at that time at relatively low speeds (50 km / h) in a work zone to Mignerette (Loiret, a dozen miles northwest of Montargis).

Any bleeding (despite the nature of his injuries Benin) relatively dazed and wearing only his pajamas, Paul Deschanel soon to meet Andre Raft, a railroad worker who supervises the work zone, and which it purports to be the president of the Republic. The image of public men at the time was still not widespread in the population, the railroad is skeptical (thinking at first glance to be dealing with a drunk) but nevertheless leads the traveler to a rough house of any gatekeeper near where the injured is being treated and put to bed by his rescuers. The gatekeeper, Gustave Dariot, impressed by the dignity of the wounded and the consistency of his explanations, hand meanwhile prevent gendarmerie Baskets. For the record, the wife of the firewall reportedly told journalists: "I saw that he was a gentleman: he had his own feet! ".

Slow communication between the various levels that, despite the short distances, the sub-prefect of Montargis, M. Lesueur, is informed by telegram to 5 am. The incident begins to have an impact when some realize, before the arrival of the train station in Roanne, around 7 am, the president has disappeared. The Presidential Suite (conducted by Theodore Steeg (1868-1950), Minister of the Interior) waiting on the station platform does not remain long without news. A dispatch sent by the station of Montargis to that of Saint-Germain-des-Fosses (Allier), which briefly explains the content of the unfolding events in the night, it quickly passed.